On December 21st, White Pine Library Cooperative Director Bryon Sitler toured me from Saginaw straight east to Lake Huron and back in a whirlwind one-day tour of six of his member libraries.
Our first stop was the Jacquelin E. Opperman Memorial Library in Kingston. This school public library is managed with enthusiasm and care by Glenna Ford, shown here with me amidst their holiday decorations. While Bryon and I were there, the retiring school principal and his in-coming replacement both made a point of meeting us, and one of the special education teachers came in to be sure to let us know how much she and the other teachers value Glenna, her assistant Jan Alpine, and the library. Their public summer reading program brought in over 50 participants each session, and the school and the public patrons make good use of the MeL Databases and MeLCat. 
Our next stop was the Sandusky District Library. Preparations were underway there for an evening event to honor retiring, long-time board member Alfred Philip. Mr. Philip happened to stop by while I was there, and I was pleased to get the chance to meet and congratulate him! Director Gail Nartker gave us a tour and emphasized the community support they give and receive. The hotels get business when folks travel to use their genealogy room; their teen area is appreciated by the young people in town; and in order to draw business to the new theater in town, Sandusky D.L. sponsors classic movie nights. You can see how well-supported they are by the many leaves on their donor giving tree behind Bryon, Gail, and me in this picture.
After lunch in Port Sanilac, Bryon and I visited Director Bev Dear at Sanilac District Library. They added a huge addition in 2001, including a computer room that has enabled them to provide computing classes to 2500 people since the room opened only five years ago. They still have land to grow into, but until that time, they use a part of it to house a lovely, croquet court-shaped children's reading garden. Bev keeps a scrapbook that memorializes donors of smaller gifts, as every contribution is important, no matter the size. And, as you can see in this picture of the two of us, there is a large giving tree display on the wall near the circulation desk to identify the major donors as well. 
Heading back west again, we arrived mid-afternoon at Peck to visit Elk Township Library. Director Jan Dyki and her assistant Kim Cook showed us around before we spent time having a fun and interesting chat about what kinds of materials they make sure to keep current in their collection due to patron demand. In the month of July, they have 45-50 children who count their summer reading accomplishments by the page, rather than by the book, so that everyone is measured on an even playing field, whether they read a thick, long tome or many short stories. They had, until recently, a school exchange student in town, who came in regularly to use their computers to email his family back in Germany. Their computers are also regularly used by residents to apply for unemployment and/or to update their resumes and do job searches. They have limited space, but every inch of it is utilized for materials and services. Here is a photo of Jan, Kim, and me behind the circulation desk.
Our next to last stop was the Marlette District Library, housed in a beautifully renovated old Carnegie building. You can see in this picture of Bryon and me with Director Nenette Ricker how open and inviting the main floor of the library is. Nenette took us down to the lower level in their new elevator to show us the area they use for children's activities. The theme of "Under the Sea" was currently represented by a wonderful wall mural painted by Lori, one of their staff members. The library holds a book discussion group once each month that generally draws 8-14 participants. 
We finished our day with a visit to the Mayville District Public Library. Director Jill Fox and several of her board members greeted us with some refreshments in their spacious community room. Jill showed us through the entire library, pointing out how they have remodeled and effectively incorporated the previously adjacent building, doubling their space and opening it up for a teen area, a children's area, a periodicals section, as well as the previously mentioned community room which sees much use by various groups in town. You can see, in this picture of Jill and me, how open and yet how fully utilized their current space is. A lot has developed in Mayville since the original library opened there in 1950!Bryon got me back to my car in Saginaw by early evening, and I headed home to Jackson after a long but good day on the road. I love these travels to see new places and Michigan libraries!
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